Swensson Farm burglars convicted

Thursday

Jul 26, 2012 at 12:01 AMJul 26, 2012 at 6:48 PM

The Swensson Farm Historic site suffered damaged during an attempted break-in on Friday, June 29.

Mathew Scott Tesch, of Granite Falls, and Charles Dean Scheer, of Redwood Falls, were apprehended after Chippewa County Sheriff’s deputies, assisted by the Minnesota State Patrol, responded to the silent alarm system at the historic site three miles west of Asbury.

Staff reports

The Swensson Farm Historic site suffered damaged during an attempted break-in on Friday, June 29.
Mathew Scott Tesch, of Granite Falls, and Charles Dean Scheer, of Redwood Falls, were apprehended after Chippewa County Sheriff’s deputies, assisted by the Minnesota State Patrol, responded to the silent alarm system at the historic site three miles west of Asbury.
Tesch and Scheer failed to gain entry to the house, but using extreme force, they kicked in the front door and shattered what was described as a priceless etched glass window in one of the doors.
Both men were charged with second degree burglary, third degree damage to property and trespassing. Scheer was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
Tesch and Scheer plead guilty to trespassing and were both sentenced to 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. The other charges were dropped.
The Chippewa County Historical Society owns and operates the historic 17 acre Swensson farm site which includes several other buildings as well as the large 22-room brick house that pioneer farmer Olaf Swensson built.